It's That Time Of Year...Squirrels, Mice, Moles, Oh My!!! (trailer, campground)

[CoastalMaine]

I'm seasonally situated here on the ocean in Maine in my 5th wheel and in a few short weeks the unit will be put into the center of the campground and winterized, but right now the back end is up against a wooded area. There have been squirrels entertaining me all summer as they cavort all around, but now they've moved into my unit!! I can hear them in the wall and up in the ceiling.

I'm pounding the ceiling and banging on the walls, but that only quiets them down. I've researched online and realize I'm going to have to go buy a few cans of Great Stuff and go to town underneath the rig, but what else do any of you do to keep all these GROSS rodents out??? Do the Bounce dryer sheets really work? I was going to duct tape my dryer vent shut, but is there a better alternative?

Thanks for any and all suggestions/help!!!

[Cornerguy1]

You're on the right track, Coastal.

The best thing you can do is to seal up every crack and crevice you can find; a half-inch gap is an interstate highway for a mouse.

If you've got slide-outs on your rig, be sure to check for gaps and entry points around them. Use steel wool for any areas which may have to modified to facilitate future movement of your slides.

If you believe your dryer vent is an entry point, you could temporarily seal it with tape, or permanently rodent proof it by covering it with heavy metal screen like metal plaster lathe.

Thirty years of being in the RV business has left me very skeptical about home remedies like moth balls, cedar balls, Bounce sheets, etc. The best solution is prevent the little buggers from getting in.

Before you walk away from your unit from the winter, I'd suggest placing a couple of containers of rat bait at either end of the trailer. I prefer the bar form of bait as opposed to pellet types because the bar bait is much more difficult for a mouse or chipmonk to carry away and store.

A good host always provides a snack for his guests.

[CoastalMaine]

Thanks CG! I read online about using aluminum mesh wool instead of steel wool as it won't rust, but where in God's green acres do you suppose I'd find that item??? Have you ever heard of it?

[Cornerguy1]

Good point.

If you're worried about possible rust marks, maybe try and find brass wool rather than steel wool. Check in the painting department of your local hardware store.

[CoastalMaine]

Just an FYI for anyone else with a future rodent problem, I found the aluminum, brass, and stainless steel wools on ebay! And the guy I found is right in Maine! What are the odds of that happening? Thanks again CG!